Dickson: Saints now have a different mindset

Tom Vickers

Skipper Lee Dickson admits there has been a change in mentality at Saints since the sobering defeat to Wasps.

Dickson and Co have delivered two fine performances in as many weeks, backing up their impressive win at Harlequins with a five-try thrashing of London Irish on Saturday.

Saints have showcased their running game, bouncing back from the 24-11 loss to Wasps by getting fans off their feet with eight scores in the past two matches.

And Dickson says there has been a concious effort to simply ‘have a crack’, limiting the tactic of kicking for territory.

“We have a different mindset and a different attitude now,” said the scrum-half, who scored Saints’ final try against Irish.

“Over the last two weeks we have shown some sparks, we have put a performance on Saturday and we have played some exciting rugby.

“We scored some phenomenal tries on Saturday, it is still a work in progress, but we are building some blocks leading to some important games coming up.”

Dickson feels the introduction of 19-year-old Harry Mallinder, son of director of rugby Jim Mallinder, at inside centre with his kicking and passing ability has proved pivotal.

“Teams know what we are about and that we like to box-kick and kick from (Stephen) Myler,” Dickson said.

“But having Harry (Mallinder) next to Myler has helped him. Myler can control the game and doesn’t need to worry about kicking the ball all the time.

“Our mentality now is to have a crack.

“We have talked about getting the ball into our wingers’ hands and letting them kick, because when you have eight forwards around the ball when you do a box-kick, if it doesn’t go right you have got eight people in the middle of nowhere.

“Whereas if you get the ball out wide and they kick we have got everyone on their feet running down the pitch. We have the ambition and the attitude to attack well but also to defend well.”